Revealed (Unbound, Book 5)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea there was a party going on around here," I said as Calin turned onto Nancy's street a half hour later.

"It's Friday." Calin shrugged, keeping his eyes on the road. "Night for parties."

"I should have called ahead." I groaned as Nancy's house came into view. The cars lining the block started from her driveway. "I'm sorry. It's totally her party."

Calin laughed. "Well, now I really get to see what your old life was like. I'm intrigued."

"Don't be. Nancy dragged me kicking and screaming to parties." I glanced at Calin and smirked, happy that we talked before coming together, relieving most of the tension. At least from my end. "I always left as soon as it was polite to do so."

"Do you want to go back?"

"No." I sighed. "Might as well get it over with. I'll get away with explaining that I waited a night to surprise Nancy, but she'll never forgive me for being in Briarville for two nights and not saying anything."

"I bet."

Calin found a spot to park on the street three houses down from Nancy's. I pulled the collar of my jacket up against the cold when I got out of the car and waited for Calin on the sidewalk so we could walk together. Once he joined me, it felt odd to walk side-by-side without holding hands. It was our first outing around people since I'd asked for the test, and I'd never wanted the results as badly as I did right now.

My usual social anxiety began to creep in as we crossed Nancy's front yard to the door. It was barely tempered by Calin's presence as people started to notice who I was, and I wished I'd worn my glasses just so I could hide a little better from the attention.

"Is that Nora?" someone asked. "I thought she moved."

I shook my head and rolled my eyes at Calin as he held the door open for me. "Friends?" he asked.

"Obviously not."

Calin laughed as someone else said my name, then asked who the new kid was. I joined in as somebody confirmed it was me and noted Calin was hot—why was he here with Nora? Are they related?

"See why I love parties so much?" I asked Calin. The music went from a hum as we got closer to blaring as the door opened and shut repeatedly, making the sound-proofing redundant. "People are stupid."

Calin held out his hand. "Want to really make them talk?"

I glanced at his hand. It would start rumours, but it could keep me in a calm state of mind, especially so soon after my loss of control. It was safer for people around us, but the test wasn't back. Holding hands like a couple felt too much like we were a coupe, and that was confusing.

"I promise, no kissing." Calin wiggled his fingers.

"Oh, well then." I rolled my eyes and took his hand, instantly feeling more at ease. I waved our hands left to right, then stopped to point ahead. "Living room, kitchen, or... backyard."

"Hey, Nora!" someone called, though I didn't recognize the girl with a pencil straight black bob.

"Hi." I glanced at Calin and shook my head. "Do you see Nancy?"

"No." Calin's gaze darted around.

Someone else said hello, making it the most I'd ever been noticed at a party in Briarville. I attributed that to curiosity over Calin and ignored the next greetings except to provide a polite smile. For once, being with Calin made me more nervous than if he wasn't there despite the calm he shared. I hated the attention we were getting.